Policy-Making Processes
Chapter 17
Chapter 17 Quiz
For each of the types of politics on the grid, do each of the following:
1. Clearly label the type of politics.
2. Give a recent example of this type of politics in action.
3. Explain who benefits from this action.
4. Explain who bears the cost of the action.
Policy making process once the problem is identified:
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Setting the Political Agenda The political agenda: deciding what to
make policy about The current political agenda includes
military, homeland security, taxes, energy, welfare, and civil rights
Who sets? Business, media, interest groups, politicians with agendas?
Shared beliefs determine what is legitimate for the government to do—Examples?
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Scope of Government Action Government always gets larger, policies persist People generally believe that government
should continue to do what it is doing now Changes in attitudes and events tend to
increase government activities War, crisis, natural disaster, recessions/depressions
Government growth cannot be attributed to one political party
For more rules that we have covered, check out the inset on the next slide!
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American System of Policymaking Separation of Powers
Stalemate between President & Congress is inevitable (even with unified government.)
Different constituencies lead to pork barrel politics, different timetables, different demands
Federalism“All politics are local” in the USFunding and mandates may come from
Washington, but implementation is by states
American System of Policymaking The Power of Judicial Review
Can declare actions, laws by any branch at any level unconstitutional.
When other levels or branches ignore decisions, gives “standing” for lawsuits.
The First (and Foremost) RightsFree speech now includes lobbying lawmakers, airing
campaign ads, protesting funerals, giving campaign contributions, etc.
Limiting these is rarely upheld unless a compelling reason is demonstrated.
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Other Influences
Groups may react to a sense of relative deprivation
The media helps place issues on the political agenda (rarely report what goes well)
The national government may later adopt ideas pioneered by the states (Bottom up approach!)
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Costs, Benefits, and Policy Cost: any burden, monetary or non-
monetary, that some people must, or expect, to bear from the policy
Benefit: any satisfaction, monetary or non-monetary, that some people must, or expect, to receive from the policy
Politics is a process of settling disputes over who benefits/pays and who ought to benefit/pay
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Figure 17.1: A Way of Classifying and Explaining Politics of Different Policy Issues
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Kinds of Politics
Majoritarian politics: distributed benefits, distributed costs
Interest group politics: concentrated benefits, concentrated costs
Client politics: concentrated benefits, distributed costs
Entrepreneurial politics: distributed benefits, concentrated costs
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Majoritarian Politics Distributed costs & distributed benefits. Generally little opposition. Ex.: Military & Security Spending
Everyone pays in the form of taxesEveryone benefits from the security providedBudgets of military and homeland security
have grown.People demand security.
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Interest Group Politics Concentrated costs & concentrated
benefits…Crossfire! Ex: labor unions seek government
protection of rights; businesses oppose to preserve competitiveness in market
Dems. are pro-labor; Repubs. are pro-biz The party in power, as well as crisis &
events, shape legislation.
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Client Politics Concentrated benefit & distributed costs Iron triangles are great examples Recipient must be seen as deserving or they
lose legitimacy “Agency capture” is likely when benefits are
focused and costs are dispersed—an agency is created to serve a group’s needs
Ex. 1: Pork Barrel LegislationEverybody pays taxes, a small district benefits
Ex: natural disaster victimsEverybody pays taxes, victims benefit
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Entrepreneurial Politics Distributed benefits & concentrated costs Relies on entrepreneurs to galvanize public
opinion and mobilize congressional supportRachel Carson, Ralph Nader are best examplesPolicy Entrepreneur versus Captain of Industry
Ex: Environmental protection statutes (Clean Air Act, NEPA, etc.)Corporations pay the costs, everyone benefits
Ex. 2: Consumer protection & recallsCorporations cover cost, everyone benefits
Here & Now or Worry over Future?
Policies are not made sometimes on actual costs, but perceived costs
Values also affect perception—Doing the “right” thing
These perceptions also come in 2 camps:Here & nowFuture quality of life
Ex: Gas dependency
Classification Activity
Form groups of 4 Take dots per team For each scenario station:
1. Read the scenario
2. Place dot in the politics category it belongs
3. Move clockwise to next station Review answers.
Assignment Read the red tile 1 on policy Symbaloo
board to introduce the difference between fiscal and monetary policy.
Read pp. 492-509 in the old Wilson textbook. Take notes by headings.
Bring a charged Chrome book to class. Due Tuesday!